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New disk-brake road bike suggestions please

by gr3g0ree
Mon, Aug 04, 2014 11:29
15

Finally, as the world did catch up with what I want to get 1
Jumping at the bandwagon a year or 2 earlier (just not having the money).

A new road bike with disk brakes.

Had a look at a lot of models coming out, but would like to ask if there is anybody out there who rides something pretty close to my desired specs and could suggest any models. Is it worth building the bike myself budget-wise, I've got no experience with that, and could possibly ask my LBS to assemble it. Or let them get all parts I want up to the budget limit and build it for me?
Not going to list all the models with comments here, but rather give an idea of what I would like to have (and that's always a compromise as well).

So: rather relaxed, endurance geometry, bike will be used for long-ish distances, maybe some touring/holiday combo and also to ride sportives. Not afraid to ride in wet and really keen (and fun) to ride on snow, but here in London meh 1
So it will be a rather all year or all-round bike.
Quality mechanical disk brakes. Never had a disk bike before (just on a rented holiday bike). Are Avid BB7 the best? - not a must as long as I get good mechanical ones so I can learn and tweak them myself.
Clearance for 28' tyres as I prefer a more comfy ride and more grip (and will get puncture resistant tyres). I think almost all I looked at got clearance.
Eylets for rack and mudguards and through axles, I'm in no rush (and when need to, will never be) to change wheels with QR. And thru-axles are more stable!?!
No preference for frame, either steel or alu or carbon, depends on the budget and the feel of a test ride. But I assume its worth spending on a quality frame - to have a good base for any upgrades I might want to have in years to come.
Weight in general is not much of a concern, just want something lighter and faster as the hybrid (a cheap one) I got now.
Did I miss something?

The most important bit - the budget is up to £1500-1700.

Planning to get the bike early Sept when the deals start rolling in and not waiting till any wheel standards will be agreed to by the big ones.

Tried to keep this post short (well?? 1 ), so just ask if you want to know something else.
Thanks in advance.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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15 comments

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gr3g0ree | 9 years ago
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I did read that article too 1 Also keeping an eye on the new Specialized bikes.
From a pure budget point of view if any of this years models will fit and can get it with a discount thrown in, I'll be more than happy to have that. As my 2nd bike (disclaimer: for the last 7years since I'm in UK) I don't need to/want to go for the latest model.

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tom_w | 9 years ago
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GT Grade Alloy X seems to hit all the bases and has the supposedly excellent new Shimano hydraulic brake/mechanical shifting set up with a full 105 groupset. Looks like a bargain http://road.cc/content/news/126078-gt-grade-launches-uk-seven-bikes-cost...

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gr3g0ree | 9 years ago
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A quick update after the 1st day of tests 1
Disclaimer - these are very very subjective opinions, in no way am I qualified to proper testride bikes 1

Test rode the Whyte Dorset 1st, 58cm frame - my size, felt ok, good handling, 28c tyres were ok in the park, would swap them for a 30c or 32c max, light and fast compared to my hybrid. Pretty agile but felt a bit stiff.

Genesis Croix de Fer next, test rode a small size frame. Still felt good handling and quite agile too, good balance, and I guess with a frame for my size this just would feel better. Fast and light, maybe a touch heavier then the Dorset. Would swap the Hayes cx disk for an Avid BB7 or any other as my left heel was touching or almost touching the side of the brakes. Chainstay length could be longer. The frame felt a bit stiff and 'bumpy' although the seat was the best I tried that day.

Boardman cxr 9.0 last, medium size, need L or XL. Good handling and balance, very light, very responsive and had the smoothest ride on bumps of all three bikes tested. Front brakes didn't work - guy got the bike out from the window display lol
I'm almost sold on this one. Need to wait for some discounts from Boardman bikes first. Also want to test ride (if I find any around) the Eastway cx 2.0, Marin Lombard and Specialized Tricross disk or Secteur Elite disk.

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andy2204 | 9 years ago
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I bought a Giant Anyroad 2 in March as my Daily commuter. Can't praise it highly enough. Given, the styling may not be to every taste, but I like it:)

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Jahmoo | 9 years ago
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Thanks for the welcome 1

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Dave42W | 9 years ago
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I have a Whyte Suffolk. Has fantastic TRP hy/rd brakes. 105 shifters and the rest seems to fit your spec at £1,300. But there might not be any available til next year.

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gr3g0ree | 9 years ago
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Thx for the headset shout, never heard of it, but that's why I asked here 3

That Marine Lombard looks ok too, just to find a dealer in London area who's got it in stock for a test ride.

The Specialized Roubaix disk got no rack or guard eyelets, and what i would save in the sale now would go for essential disk and groupset upgrade, so that bike won't make my shortlist.

However the Specialized Tricross Elite disk 2014 - £1000, Tiagra, BB7, rack+mudguards, (integrated headset bearings - doesn't good from DaveEs experience).

Btw, Welcome on road.cc forum Jahmoo 1

So far I would want to test ride the Tricross, Lombard and Croix de Fer and the Boardman 1

With my 194cm will go with the largest frame size available.

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Jahmoo | 9 years ago
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Specialized Roubaix Disc....

Carbon frame, BB7's priced at £1500, can get discount.

700x25 tyres, Geometry frame, so much nicer to ride, comfy position in the saddle.

Problem is Sora Groupset, but a very nice bike and Frame comes with lifetime warranty, so upgrade to your hearts content.

Just got myself one of these and am so far happy!

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Ratfink | 9 years ago
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The 2015 marin Lombard might fit the bill?
http://urbanvelo.org/marin-lombard-2015/
Looks a lot better to me than the 2014 model which got great reviews but looked kinda blah to me.

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DaveE128 | 9 years ago
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Oh, and BB5s are ok, but the instructions are rubbish for adjusting them. There are much better methods described online. BB7s are much easier to adjust for pad wear.

Personally I'd only go hydraulic if I could afford the rather pricey STIs.

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DaveE128 | 9 years ago
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Just a quick thought - I've had bad experiences with integrated headsets and disc brakes on road bikes (an aluminium frame in my case). My theory is that the braking forces cause enough flex in the steerer tube to wear the pathetically small contact area between frame and headset bearing. This wasn't helped by the manufacturer assembling the bike with one too many headset spacers, compromising the grip of the stem on the steerer. Once the headset gets loose once, the frame seems to be toast 2

So, I'd look for a "semi integrated" which is where bearing holders are pressed into the frame or a proper traditional headset. Chris King agrees, for what it's worth, though not specifically for disk brakes).

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bigshape | 9 years ago
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only some of the croix de fer range come with carbon forks - the 30, and the stainless. the lower end models have steel forks.

all of the equilibriums come with carbon forks so probably a bit lighter, but less tyre clearance (28mm or 25mm with guards) and presumably a racier geometry than the croix de fer.

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gr3g0ree | 9 years ago
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Thanks for the suggestions.

Checked out the Boardman cxr 9.0 and it's certainly looking good and got everything I want and also very light but at the top of my budget. No idea how the SRAM Force 22 will be like. Read good things about it.

The Croix de Fer is a good shout too, better price and good specs.
Also looked at the Equilibrium disk version and can't see now how can that bike be better than the Croix de Fer.
I read somewhere that Tiagra shifts more reliably and is more durable than 105.
So Tiagra rather then 105 but would prefer Force over Apex with SRAM.

Also looked at the Whyte Dorset and Eastway cx2.0, both similarly specced and same price at a grand and I think I would prefer the Dorset with some custom changes made 1

So far the Genesis Croix wins, as it got most I want and leaves me with money to buy 'accessories'

Any ideas how these above ride or compare to each other? Also any other suggestions? I think I'm closer to get a cyclocross (maybe road oriented) then a disk-braked roadie now.

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richcc | 9 years ago
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One of the new Croix de Fer would get my money. Think one of the new ones has carbon fork and the new Shimano hydro 105 groupset. I've got last year's Croix and love it.

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CXR94Di2 | 9 years ago
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Hydraulic disc brakes are the best. Shimano are doing new hydraulic brake levers for road bikes with mechanical shifters. Or you could go blow your budget and get my bike. 1 You will probably need a cyclocross version bike for 28mm tyres. My Boardman can take 35mm tyres.

The brakes are outstanding and now I have used di2 it's so nice to change gears.

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